New Mexico has a population of 2,082,224 and it is one of the least densely populated state in the country, yet it also has a vast Federal government business sector, and it has been calculated for every $1 in revenue the Federal government receives from New Mexico, it puts in more than twice the amount. Much of this is for the aerospace industry.
On this day January 6th, in 1912, New Mexico is accepted into the union as the 47th state. Europeans first encountered it in the early 16th century, and the expectation of finding riches brought many Spanish explorers in search of wealth. There was none to be found. What there was, on the other hand, was resistant Natives.
When Mexico gained independence from Spain, it took control over New Mexico. By that point New Mexico’s capital, Santa Fe, had already been founded. The Apache and Navaho tribes disliked the colonists which were trekking onto their land, and until 1886 when the leader of the Apache tribe surrendered to American troops, it stunted New Mexico’s growth. By this point Mexico had already given New Mexico to America post Mexican-American War. For those that are fans of the Emmy-Award Winning show Breaking Bad, it takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest city with over half a million people.